Farmers well versed in adapting to changing climate

"The farmers have been able to actually cope with that by adopting new techniques or just tightening their management around their farming practices, and there is still room to go in that regard," he said.

Dr Trewin said farmers may get some relief this spring.

"The seasonal outlook from October to December is actually quite encouraging for New South Wales," he said.

"The outlook is going for about a 60 per cent chance of above average rainfall on the coast and 55 to 60 per cent chance of above average for a lot of the inland areas."

In her resignation from politics, Kelly O'Dwyer said she feared another miscarriage in Canberra, far from home. Her announcement is shocking for more than just party-political reasons, writes Emma A. Jane.